The Serbian foreign minister, in an unsurprising move, has rejected the Kosovar draft ‘Friendship Treaty’, on the basis that it presumes an independent Kosova, which is a non-negotiable impossibility in Belgrade’s opinion.

Below is an article published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:

Kosova's ethnic-Albanian leadership used a September 19 [2007] meeting with international mediators to try to place post-independence relations with Serbia at the center of attention, rather than the still unresolved issue of Kosova's status, by presenting a draft "friendship" treaty. The offer was immediately rejected by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who said "we do not see future relations between Serbia and Kosovo as a relationship between two independent states," Serbian media reported. Kosovar Albanian leaders argue that independence is "non-negotiable." According to the office of Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu, the treaty would have committed Kosova and Serbia to settle disputes without violence; to protect human rights, ethnic minorities, and important sites in Kosova; to locate and identify the remains of people missing since the 1998-99 conflict; and to cooperate in efforts to join the EU as part of "a joint vision of further integration within Europe." The mediators' talks in London, which spanned two days, focused on preparing for direct talks, which are expected to begin on September 28 [2007]. Serbia's minister for Kosova, Slobodan Samardzic, said on September 17 [2007] that "real talks" will begin in October [2007].